A Smarter Way to Enjoy USJ 2026: Crowd Tips, Quiet Days, and Event Seasons

2026年5月8日USJ

When Should You Visit USJ in 2026?

June and mid-November are great times to visit because the park is relatively quiet, and the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
If you visit during a busy season, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be less crowded and are recommended.

In this article, we summarize the 2026 USJ crowd forecast by day, month, and practical park-touring tips.
This is not just an article to read once. It is packed with useful information you can actually use, so be sure to bookmark it.

USJ Crowd Forecast for Today and Tomorrow

If you want to check the crowd forecast right away, see below.

Today’s Crowd Forecast

USJ Schedule Proposal

*Weather is not included in this forecast. The park tends to be less crowded during bad weather such as heavy rain, typhoons, or heavy snow.

*By also checking the recommended way to tour the park based on crowd levels, you can enjoy a much smoother day at USJ. Tap the button above and make the most of your visit.

Crowd Forecast Calendar for This Month

USJ Crowd Forecast Calendar 2026

Here is a brief monthly crowd forecast.
Detailed explanations are provided later in this article.

• May 2026 crowd forecast: A relatively quiet season.
• June 2026 crowd forecast: The second quietest season of the year.
• July 2026 crowd forecast: Summer events will be held in the evening and at night. Crowds are expected to increase from around mid-July.
• August 2026 crowd forecast: Evening and nighttime summer events are expected to make the park crowded.
• September 2026 crowd forecast: Crowds will increase once Halloween Horror Nights begins.
• October 2026 crowd forecast: The park will be extremely crowded due to Halloween Horror Nights.
• November 2026 crowd forecast: Extremely crowded until the final day of Halloween Horror Nights. After it ends, the park becomes quieter.
• December 2026 crowd forecast: Weekends may be somewhat crowded due to Christmas. The year-end period will be crowded.
• January 2027 crowd forecast: The New Year period will be crowded. After that, the park will be quiet.
• February 2027 crowd forecast: The first half will be quiet. From mid-February, it will become crowded with students on graduation trips.
• March 2027 crowd forecast: The finale of the 25th Anniversary event! Spring break will be extremely crowded.
• April 2027 crowd forecast: The first week will be extremely crowded. After that, the park will be quieter.
• May 2027 crowd forecast: Golden Week will be crowded. After that, the park will be quieter.

Summary of the 2026 USJ Crowd Forecast

May 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in May 2026 is expected to be crowded mainly during the Golden Week period. In 2026, many people will have a five-day holiday from May 2 to May 6, and those who take April 30 and May 1 off can have up to eight consecutive days off. This makes it easier for visitors from far away and families to come to the park. With the USJ 25th Anniversary event also taking place, many guests are expected to visit from the morning during the holiday period.

However, Golden Week at USJ does not usually become one of the most crowded periods of the entire year.

One reason crowds are spread out is that many festivals and food events are held across the Kansai region, long holidays cause travel destinations to disperse, and annual pass blackout dates are set for regular annual pass holders.

If you want to visit on a relatively quiet day in May, weekdays after Golden Week are recommended. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in particular tend to be calmer than Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. However, in May, many kindergartens and elementary schools hold sports days or open-school events, resulting in substitute holidays on Mondays. For this reason, Mondays can attract more families with children.

Changes in children’s areas may also affect the crowd forecast for May 2026.
The Sesame Street-related area in Universal Wonderland is scheduled to close on May 10, so the movement of families may be slightly different from usual.

Popularity may concentrate on Snoopy, Hello Kitty, and Super Nintendo World, so if you are visiting with small children, it is recommended to start moving early in the morning.

For the daily crowd forecast and predicted early opening times before the official scheduled opening time, see here:

June 2026 Crowd Forecast

For the daily crowd forecast and predicted early opening times before the official scheduled opening time, see here:

USJ in June 2026 is expected to have many relatively quiet days compared with the rest of the year.
As the rainy season begins and the weather becomes unstable, visitor numbers tend to settle down, and many weekdays are forecast to be “light crowd” days.

For those who want to enjoy mainly indoor attractions such as Mario Kart and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, rainy days can be a good opportunity.

Weekdays from early to mid-June are especially expected to be easy to tour with shorter wait times. From after Golden Week in May until before summer vacation, visitors from far away and families tend to calm down slightly, making this a recommended period for those who want to enjoy USJ at a slower pace.

Ticket prices are also relatively low on many days, so when considering both crowds and cost, June can be a good-value month to visit.
Compared with usual years, the number of overseas travelers is also expected to decrease, so weekdays may be quieter than normal.

On the other hand, weekends will be busier than weekdays. Even so, many June weekends are expected to be around a “normal” crowd level rather than “very crowded.” However, Saturday, June 27, in the final week of the month, is forecast to be crowded, so if you plan to visit on a weekend, early to mid-June is a better choice.

Also, since the Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End attraction starts from May 30, more fans of the series may visit the park. In June, JAWS, Sing on Tour, and Jurassic Park: The Ride will also have temporary closure periods, so if there is a specific attraction you want to experience, check the schedule before your visit.

July 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in July 2026 will begin its summer events on July 1, bringing a lively summer atmosphere to the park. In 2026, there will be nighttime-focused content for both adults and children, so more guests are expected to visit from the evening to avoid the daytime heat. During the hot season at USJ, instead of pushing yourself to move around during the day, it is also recommended to enjoy shows and events after the temperature becomes cooler in the evening.

July is the month when summer vacation begins, but crowds are expected to be more moderate than in August. In particular, many weekdays from early to mid-July are forecast to be “light” or “normal,” making this a good time for those who want to enjoy summer events with relatively less stress. Working adults and visitors who want to avoid crowds should consider visiting in early to mid-July before school summer vacation gets fully underway.
Compared with usual years, the number of overseas travelers is also expected to decrease, so weekdays may be quieter than normal.

On the other hand, the three-day holiday from July 18 to July 20 requires caution. This period is also set as annual pass blackout dates, and because the holiday overlaps with summer events, visitor numbers are likely to increase from the morning. If you want to enjoy Super Nintendo World or popular attractions, it is important to enter early and check timed entry ticket information.

Even after summer vacation begins, July is not expected to be as extremely crowded as August. However, visitors may increase in the evening, so if you plan to stay from daytime through night, it will be easier to tour the park by enjoying attractions during the day and events at night.

For the daily crowd forecast and predicted early opening times before the official scheduled opening time, see here:

August 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in August 2026 will attract many families and students because it is summer vacation. The Obon holiday period is especially likely to be crowded even within the summer vacation season. From around August 10 to August 14, multiple days are expected to be “crowded,” so if you want to enjoy popular attractions or Super Nintendo World, it is best to arrive early in the morning.

On the other hand, August 6 to August 23, 2026, is set as an annual pass blackout period. Except for Grand Royal Annual Pass holders, annual pass holders will not be able to enter during this period, so visitor numbers may be somewhat reduced. However, before and after the blackout period, such as on or before August 5 and from August 24 onward, annual pass holders are likely to visit in greater numbers, so these days may become crowded.

When visiting USJ in August, it is also important to plan around the daytime heat. In 2026, nighttime summer events are scheduled, with plenty of content to enjoy from evening onward, including shows and fireworks. Because of this, many days may see visitor numbers increase not only during the day but also from evening into night. On extremely hot days, instead of trying to pack in too many attractions during the daytime, it is recommended to focus on the cooler hours.

For the daily crowd forecast and predicted early opening times before the official scheduled opening time, see here:

September 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in September 2026 marks the start of the Halloween season. The official event schedule has not yet been announced, but if it follows the usual pattern, Halloween events and Halloween Horror Nights will begin in early September, and visitor numbers are expected to increase from the evening onward.

However, compared with late October and November near the end of the Halloween season, September tends to be somewhat calmer. If you want to enjoy Horror Nights, visiting in September is also recommended.

On the other hand, Friday evenings and Saturdays tend to be crowded. If you want to focus on daytime attractions, visiting on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday will make it easier to get around.

October 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in October 2026 is when Halloween Horror Nights becomes fully lively. Visitor numbers tend to increase more than in September, and special caution is needed on Friday evenings, Saturdays, three-day weekends, and weekends right before Halloween.

Based on last year’s trends, late October saw many extremely crowded and very crowded days. In 2026 as well, guests visiting for Horror Nights and people enjoying costumes are expected to make the entire park crowded from evening to night.

On the other hand, if you want to focus on daytime attractions, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the best days to aim for. If you plan to stay until night, it is recommended to enjoy popular attractions during the day and then enjoy shows and Horror Nights from the evening onward.

November 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in November 2026 is the transition period from the end of Halloween events to the Christmas season. If it follows the usual pattern, the final days of Halloween Horror Nights are likely to be extremely crowded, especially around November 1 to November 3.

Last year, the long weekend around the final day of Halloween was extremely crowded or very crowded. In 2026 as well, guests visiting to see the final Horror Nights events are expected to make the park very crowded from the evening onward.

On the other hand, weekdays after Horror Nights ends tend to be calmer. However, families who avoided the horror season may visit on weekends, so weekends still require caution. From late November, visitors coming for Christmas events will begin to increase, so Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are recommended if you want to enjoy the park more comfortably.

December 2026 Crowd Forecast

USJ in December 2026 will become more crowded toward the second half of the month as Christmas events, winter vacation, and year-end outing demand overlap. Weekdays in early December tend to be relatively calm, but as Christmas approaches, visitor numbers will increase, and caution is needed around December 24 and 25.

Based on last year’s trends, crowds continued even after Christmas from December 27 onward, with December 29 and 30 especially forecast as very crowded to extremely crowded. In 2026 as well, once the year-end holidays begin, wait times for popular attractions are likely to become long from the morning.

On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the Christmas tree and the nighttime atmosphere, visiting later in the evening before park closing is also recommended. To avoid crowds, aim for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from early to mid-December.

Period	Crowd Level	Features
Early January	Light	New Year period is crowded
Mid-January to February	Light	Off-season
March	Very crowded	Spring break + 25th Anniversary
Mid-April	Good timing	New school year
May	Light	Golden Week is crowded
June	Light	Rainy season
July to August	Very crowded	Summer vacation
September to October, early November	Very crowded to extremely crowded	Halloween
Mid-November	Good timing	Gap between events
Late December	Very crowded	Year-end period

Basis for the Crowd Forecast

This article is based on the following factors.

• Past crowd data
• Public holidays, consecutive holidays, and school holidays in Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City
• Event periods
• Ticket prices and operating hours
• Annual pass blackout dates
• On-site experience

The forecast is made by combining multiple factors.

USJ Crowd Forecast Calendar 2027

January 2027 Crowd Forecast

USJ in January 2027 is likely to have crowd peaks during the New Year holidays and the three-day weekend that includes Coming of Age Day. January 2 and 3 are set as annual pass blackout dates, and with demand for New Year travel and first outings of the year, visitor numbers are likely to increase from the morning.

On the other hand, weekdays from January 5 onward tend to calm down after winter vacation ends, making them good targets for those who want to focus on attractions. In January 2026, many days closed at 7:00 p.m., with no days operating until 10:00 p.m., so operating hours in 2027 may also be shorter.

January 10 is also an annual pass blackout date. The three-day weekend from January 9 to 11, including Coming of Age Day, is likely to be crowded, especially around January 10. If you want to visit on a quieter day, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from mid to late January are recommended.

February 2027 Crowd Forecast

USJ in February 2027 is before spring break, making it one of the relatively calmer and easier seasons to enjoy the park. Many weekdays are expected to be quiet, so if you want to focus on popular attractions, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are recommended.

On the other hand, weekends and public holidays tend to attract more visitors. In 2027, National Foundation Day on February 11 falls on a Thursday, and the Emperor’s Birthday on February 23 falls on a Tuesday, so they will not create three-day weekends. However, the park may still become crowded due to people taking days off around those holidays and student visitors.

Also, February often sees the start of student campaigns and limited-time attractions, so crowd levels may change depending on event content. If you want a quieter period, aim for weekdays from early to mid-February. If your goal is an event, check the latest schedule before choosing your visit date.

March 2027 Crowd Forecast

Three Major Factors That Will Affect Crowds in 2026

① 25th Anniversary Event Visitor numbers will increase throughout the year.

② Mario 5th Anniversary
More visitors will come for Super Nintendo World, which will attract attention through limited-time Yoshi greetings and the 5th Anniversary.

③ USJ’s First Night-Focused Summer Event
Will morning visitor numbers decrease, or will they stay the same?

④ Halloween Horror Nights and Daytime Halloween
Crowds will depend on the number and content of daytime shows and horror attractions.

Crowd Levels

Level	Meaning
Almost empty	In recent years, this has almost never happened except during typhoons. Wait times for most attractions are 10 minutes or less.
Light	Easy to tour the park.
Normal	Popular attractions can often be enjoyed with wait times of under one hour.
Crowded	Attractions in Super Nintendo World may have wait times of three hours or more.
Very crowded	Popular attractions may have wait times of three hours or more. Restaurants will have long lines.
Extremely crowded	It becomes difficult to walk around the park. Women’s restrooms have long lines. Restaurants are also extremely crowded. Entry restrictions may be placed at the station on the way home.

Monthly USJ Crowd Forecast 2026

January

Crowded in the first half, good timing in the second half.

February

Quiet in the first half, increasing crowds in the second half.

March

One of the busiest periods of the year.

April

Mid-April is a good time to visit.

May

Golden Week is risky.

June

Tends to be quiet.

July

Crowds increase from the second half.

August

Always crowded.

September

The first half is a good time to visit.

October

Crowded due to Halloween.

November

Mid-November is a good time to visit.

December

The second half is risky.

Recommended Arrival Time by Crowd Level

Crowd Level	Arrival Time
Light	At park opening
Normal	30 minutes before opening
Crowded	60 minutes before opening
Very crowded	90 minutes before opening

Common Mistakes on Crowded and Extremely Crowded Days

• Arriving late
• Going to popular attractions around noon
• Eating meals at peak dining times

The Right Way to Tour the Park

• Morning: Popular attractions
• Lunch: Shift your meal time
• Afternoon: Shows
• Night: Aim for quieter times

Days When an Express Pass Is Needed

• Spring break
• Golden Week
• Summer vacation
• Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during the Halloween period
• Year-end period

How to choose the right Express Pass and tips for making a smart choice:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is USJ crowded even on weekdays? A: It is crowded during the Halloween season. Fridays and Mondays during periods with many substitute holidays also tend to be crowded.

Q: Which weekdays are less crowded?
A: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Summary

USJ in 2026 is likely to be crowded because of the 25th Anniversary.

The key to a successful visit is choosing the right date and planning how to move around during the morning, afternoon, evening, and night.

Recommended ways to tour the park for a highly successful day: